William Larue Weller Bourbon (Fall 2015)

What a stunningly beautiful whiskey in the glass. Weller is a deep, rich copper tone with hints of auburn. Breathe in the scents of late summer, autumn and the harvest season, and conclude with winter in a delightful progression: cherries and ripe fruit first, followed by rich brown sugar and buttered corn, with maple syrup and vanilla emerging after several minutes. Then back to fall with the powerful, slightly boozy palate, to savor the taste of apple turnovers, caramel, and orchard fruits. Weller finishes with notes of sweet caramel, traces of banana, leather, oil, cinnamon, and oak. I don't like adding water to whiskey, but with a barrel-proof beast, it's sometimes worth a shot. Here, oak, leather, and brown sugar emerge more prominently in the nose. The palate and finish were similar, with reduced heat (of course) and an increased spiciness. Like Cousin Pappy and other wheated bourbons in general, Weller offers an intriguing, sweeter take on American bourbon. I haven't had Pappy in a long time, but it is hard to believe a wheater gets much better than this Weller. I hate to keep giving these Buffalo Trace Antique Collection bottles such high marks, which doesn't tell you guys anything new, but they are superb bourbons. I was looking for flaws but couldn't find any. Like any other barrel-proof bourbon, you have to be prepared for that high heat, but Weller's aging -- in excess of 12 years -- makes it a smooth sipper given its strength. A no-brainer if you see it anywhere for $150 or less, but most people's only hope is the secondary market, where this bottle can fetch an intolerable (for me, anyways) $600+.

well made